Duke of York Opens Enterprise Hub, Home to Area’s First Studio School

Posted on: July 11, 2013

His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG officially opened the £3m Goldmine building in the centre of Walsall today. It is not only home to the area’s first Studio School – an entirely new approach to education, but also the ‘hub’ of the Walsall Social Enterprise Zone where a new approach to business enterprise will help stimulate community regeneration.

His Royal Highness, who is Patron of the Studio Schools Trust, met senior representatives from the public, private and third sectors in the Black Country who all support the vision of the Zone and the important role that the Studio School will play in equipping young people with the skills they will need to become the social entrepreneurs of the future.

HRH The Duke of York enjoys speaking with students Courtney Brevitt and Che Goodall.

The School specialises in business and social enterprise, creative and digital media, music and the performing arts and will eventually cater for 300 young people from 14-19 years old. When students start courses at the school in September, it will have a genuine work ethos and culture, as well as a curriculum that has been shaped with the help of local employers. Students will work on ‘live’ business projects and experience workplace life within local companies and social enterprises.

The Walsall Social Enterprise Zone, supported by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, is focused on supporting both social entrepreneurs and social enterprises that are committed to building a local economy and community.

The Zone will offer a range of services for new enterprises, from business advice and networking, through to funding help and support. The vision of Social Enterprise Zones was ‘birthed’ in Walsall and has already attracted the interest of Local Enterprise Partnerships from other areas of the U.K. The Goldmine facility recently hosted a national Local Enterprise Partnerships conference.

Dan Parkes, Principal of Walsall Studio School sets out the vision of the school to business leaders and invited guests at the official opening of the Goldmine Centre, Home of Walsall Studio School.

HRH The Duke of York site down for lunch in the Vines Restaurant, part of Vine Social Enterprises and the Vine Trust Group to hear from local business leaders, partners and sponsors of Walsall Studio School and Sixth Form.